Tobacco.org

A population-based cohort study of chest x-ray screening in smokers: lung cancer detection findings and follow-up 

Background

Case-control studies of mass screening for lung cancer (LC) by chest x-rays (CXR) performed in the 1990s in scarcely defined Japanese target populations indicated significant mortality reductions, but these results are yet to be confirmed in western countries. To ascertain whether CXR screening decreases LC mortality at community level, we studied a clearly defined population-based cohort of smokers invited to screening. We present here the LC detection results and the 10-year survival rates.

Methods

The cohort of all smokers of >10 pack-years resident in 50 communities of Varese, screening-eligible (n = 5,815), in July 1997 was invited to nonrandomized CXR screening. . . .

Conclusion

In the setting of CXR screening offered to a population-based cohort of smokers, screening participants who were diagnosed with LC had more frequently early-stage resectable disease and significantly enhanced long-term LC survival. These results translated into enhanced 10-year LC survival, independently related to CXR screening exposure, in the entire population-based cohort. Whether increased long-term LC-specific survival in the cohort corresponds to mortality reduction remains to be evaluated.

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• Association between exposure to secondhand smoke and sleep bruxism in children: a randomised control study 

Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) is a serious public health threat and represents a preventable cause of morbidity among children. Sleep bruxism is characterised by teeth grinding or clenching movements during sleep and may begin in adulthood as well as in childhood. . . .

Conclusion

The findings showed that high and moderate exposure to SHS is associated with sleep bruxism in children.

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Mancini advises Mario Balotelli over smoking  

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has admitted that if Mario Balotelli was his son he would give him "a kick up the arse" for his smoking habit.

Balotelli, 21, has been no stranger to the limelight following a string of off-the-field misdemeanours, including recently escaping unharmed after his bathroom was set on fire by a firework. . . .

"I have told him it is better that he doesn't smoke because I am always against cigarettes and that's why my son doesn't smoke.

"There are players in Italy who smoke and some over here but I don't think he smokes a lot - maybe five or six a day."

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Is Second-Hand Coke As Dangerous As Second-Hand Smoke? This Possibility is Worth Exploring, Researchers Say  

Can second-hand coke be as dangerous as second-hand smoke? This will be a new area for research as a new study has found that regions with high level of cocaine and marijuana use have higher concentrations of cocaine in the atmosphere.

The study also revealed a statistical relationships between cocaine levels and some cancers, and between cannabinoid levels and mental disorders. But Cecinato cautions about the meaning of these correlations, adding that the study could be a starting point for future research.

Analytical chemist Angelo Cecinato and colleagues at the Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research in Rome who conducted a follow up study made by on the correlation between illicit drugs and the presence of airborne cocaine in Rome and some parts of Italy, also found out that there is a correlation between the level of airborne coke with the amount of drugs seized by police, and even a possible association with some types of crime, including robbery. . . .

The team reported their findings in the Science of the Total Environment.

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The Pap smear screening as an occasion for smoking cessation and physical activity counselling: Baseline characteristics of women involved in the SPRINT randomized controlled trial 

Discussion

Out of the 5,657 women undergoing the Pap examination, 1,100 participants (55% of smokers) were randomized in 1 of the 3 study groups (363 in the S, 366 in the S + PA and 371 in the C groups). The three arms did not differ on any demographic, PA, or tobacco-use characteristics. Recruited smokers were older, less educated than non-participant women, more motivated to quit (33% vs.9% in the Preparation stage, p < 0.001), smoked more cigarettes per day (12 vs.9, p < 0.001), and were more likely to have already done 1 or more quit attempts (64% vs.50%, p < 0.001). The approach of SPRINT study appeared suitable to enrol less educated women who usually smoke more and have more difficulties to quit.

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• Effect of an Electronic Nicotine Delivery Device (e-Cigarette) on Smoking Reduction and Cessation: A Prospective 6-Month Pilot Study [FREE FULL TEXT] 

Background: Cigarette smoking is a tough addiction to break. Therefore, improved approaches to smoking cessation are necessary. The electronic-cigarette (e-Cigarette), a battery-powered electronic nicotine delivery device (ENDD) resembling a cigarette, may help smokers to remain abstinent during their quit attempt or to reduce cigarette consumption. Efficacy and safety of these devices in long-term smoking cessation and/or smoking reduction studies have never been investigated. Methods: In this prospective proof-of-concept study we monitored possible modifications in smoking habits of 40 regular smokers (unwilling to quit) experimenting the ‘Categoria’ e-Cigarette with a focus on smoking reduction and smoking abstinence. Study participants were invited to attend a total of five study visits: at baseline, week-4, week-8, week-12 and week-24. Product use, number of cigarettes smoked, and exhaled carbon monoxide (eCO) levels were measured at each visit. Smoking reduction and abstinence rates were calculated. Adverse events and product preferences were also reviewed.

Results: Sustained 50% reduction in the number of cig/day at week-24 was shown in 13/40(32.5%) participants; their median of 25 cigs/day decreasing to 6 cigs/day (p<0.001). Sustained 80% reduction was shown in 5/40(12.5%) participants; their median of 30 cigs/day decreasing to 3 cigs/day (p=0.043). Sustained smoking abstinence at week-24 was observed in 9/40(22.5%) participants, with 6/9 still using the e-Cigarette by the end of the study. Combined sustained 50% reduction and smoking abstinence was shown in 22/40 (55%) participants, with an overall 88% fall in cigs/day. Mouth (20.6%) and throat (32.4%) irritation, and dry cough (32.4%) were common, but diminished substantially by week-24. Overall, 2 to 3 cartridges/day were used throughout the study. Participants’ perception and acceptance of the product was good. . . .

CONCLUSIONS

Current smoking cessation interventions can increase the chance of quitting in committed smokers who are already motivated and prepared to stop smoking [33], but a broader range of interventions are needed in order to bring more smokers into treatment and increase the numbers who are motivated to make quit attempts. Although not formally regulated as a pharmaceutical product, the e- Cigarette can help smokers to remain abstinent or reduce their cigarette consumption. By replacing tobacco cigarettes, the e-cigarette can only save lives.

Here we show for the first time that e-Cigarettes can substantially decrease cigarette consumption without causing significant side effects in smokers not intending to quit. However, large and carefully conducted RCTs will be required before a definite answer about the efficacy and safety of these devices can be formulated. Some of these trials are now in progress in Italy [34-36] and New Zealand [37] and hopefully they will be able to confirm and expand the preliminary observations reported in the present article.

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Market Report, "Smoking Tobacco in Italy", published 

RYO tobacco and pipe tobacco are mainly popular amongst male smokers from lower-income groups. The consumers of RYO tobacco are classified into two main categories. Loyal RYO tobacco smokers prefer its taste to cigarettes, and frequently view RYO tobacco as more natural and containing fewer chemicals than cigarette tobacco. In addition, a greater number of smokers were switching to RYO tobacco towards the end of the review period for reasons of economy. Over the review period, the wider...

Euromonitor International's Smoking Tobacco in Italy report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data 2006-2010, allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market - be the new legislative, distribution or pricing issues. Forecasts to 2015 illustrate how the market is set to change.

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What now for Foxy?  

Yet the man who really set her in his sights and would become her nemesis was the veteran local prosecutor, Giuliano Mignini -- and it is he who must bear the heaviest responsibility for her wrongful conviction.

Almost from the moment the pipe-smoking Mignini viewed Meredith's semi-naked body under a duvet ('Only a woman would have covered her up after killing her,' he told me), he formed the theory that she had been killed in some sort of twisted, ritualistic sex game, and Knox was among the culprits.

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Smoking Tobacco in Italy - Market Report - new market report published 

RYO tobacco and pipe tobacco are mainly popular amongst male smokers from lower-income groups. The consumers of RYO tobacco are classified into two main categories. Loyal RYO tobacco smokers prefer its taste to cigarettes, and frequently view RYO tobacco as more natural and containing fewer chemicals than cigarette tobacco. In addition, a greater number of smokers were switching to RYO tobacco towards the end of the review period for reasons of economy. Over the review period, the wider...

The Smoking Tobacco in Italy report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data 2006-2010, allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market - be the new legislative, distribution or pricing issues. Forecasts to 2015 illustrate how the market is set to change.

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Universal Corporation Reports EU Court Decision  

Universal Corporation (NYSE: UVV) (the "Company") announced that earlier today the General Court of the European Union (the "Court") issued a decision rejecting the appeal of Deltafina, S.p.A, its Italian subsidiary. That appeal related to the European Commission's revocation of Deltafina's immunity from a penalty of EUR 30 million (about $41 million on September 9, 2011) assessed against Deltafina and the Company jointly for actions in connection with Deltafina's purchase and processing of tobacco in the Italian raw tobacco market between 1995 and 2002.

The Company and Deltafina are reviewing the decision and will evaluate whether to file an appeal. At this time, it is likely that the Company will accrue a charge for the fine and related interest in the quarter that will end on September 30, 2011. That amount, as of September 9, 2011, is estimated at approximately $49 million at current market exchange rates.

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Commission welcomes Court judgments in Italian raw tobacco cartel 

The European Commission welcomes the judgments by the General Court which uphold a decision of 2005 fining Italian tobacco processors (including Deltafina and Alliance One and its subsidiaries) for operating a buying cartel in the Italian raw tobacco market.

The Deltafina judgment is very important because it confirms the Commission's policy of granting immunity to a cartel participant only if its cooperation is "full, continuous and expeditious" as stated in the Leniency Notice on immunity or reductions from fines.

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EU court upholds fine on Italy cartel whistleblower  

The EU's General Court on Friday upheld a fine imposed on Deltafina for its role in a cartel in the Italian raw tobacco market, even though the firm alerted authorities to collusion.

It was the first time a firm exposing a cartel was not exempted from an EU fine -- Deltafina had tipped off its co-conspirators it was informing the regulators.

The General Court confirmed the joint fine on tobacco processor and marketer Deltafina and U.S.-based parent, Universal Corp , of 30 million euros ($42 million). Alliance One International was fined 24 million euros.

The European Commission, which regulates competition in the European Union, imposed the fines in 2005 for collusion and price-fixing in the Italian raw tobacco market from 1995-2002, which also involved other companies and producer groups.

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• Smoking banned on Italian beach 

Swimmers and sunbathers are being encouraged to put out their cigarettes on part of Bibione beach, in the municipality of San Michele al Tagliamento.

Mayor Pasqualino Codognotto admitted that smokers could not be punished by the law but said: "This is an experimental initiative born from both the desire to have a clean beach without cigarette butts and health reasons".

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• Marlboro Washes Up in Jersey Shore: Best Anti-Smoking Ad Ever? 

In the new trailer for the upcoming fourth season of Jersey Shore, a pack of Marlboros cozies up to The Situation. Yet when we contacted Philip Morris to ask about the product placement of the pack of Marlboros, particularly when the series has blurred other brands in the past, we were told by the cigarette maker, "It's not our product."

The details are what makes it "not" Philip Morris USA's product. As a Philip Morris spokesperson told us, the package is a product of Philip Morris International, with which Philip Morris USA has no relation. And you might call him the International Situation, because Jersey Shore has been shooting in Italy (hence the non-American Marlboro pack) this season.

The Philip Morris USA spokesman wanted to make sure we knew that, "We do not agree to or pay for any product placement." He also said Philip Morris USA does not grant permission to media companies that ask its permission, although, it wouldn't have declined permission in this case anyway since that is not its product.

Of course, viewers won't know the difference. Even Philip Morris International, which is suing the Australian government for brand-free shock packaging, states on its website that "Marlboro has been the world's number one cigarette brand since 1972 and is one of the most powerful trademarks among all consumer products."

So why no blurring of the logo and distinctive Marlboro packaging in this case?

MTV, when reached for comment about the Marlboro package in Jersey Shore's season four trailer, told us, "Our standards department reviews the content on our network and makes determinations on a case-by-case basis. While we make every effort to limit cigarette smoking on our air, we also try to present our reality programming and the people in it as authentically as possible."

It's well known that teen-centric MTV blurs out product logos in many of its shows, including Jersey Shore.

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Effect of Smoking Relapse on Outcome After Acute Coronary Syndromes 

In conclusion, smoking relapse after acute coronary syndromes is associated with increased mortality, and counseling interventions should be integrated into the postdischarge support to reduce the negative effects of smoking resumption.

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